Smith says no to Padres

SAN DIEGO -- Bud Smith became the 16th rookie in modern history to throw a no-hitter and the second unlikely pitcher to do it to San Diego this season in St. Louis' 4-0 win Monday night.

Smith, making his 11th career start, showed the poise of a veteran in becoming the first rookie to throw a no-hitter since the Cardinals' Jose Jimenez did it in a 1-0 win against Arizona on June 25, 1999.

He ended it by fielding Phil Nevin's hard comebacker, pumping his fist and running halfway to first base before flipping to Albert Pujols for the final out.

This was the first time Smith, a native Southern Californian, pitched beyond the seventh inning. He walked four -- including all-time walks leader Rickey Henderson twice -- and struck out seven.

The 21-year-old left-hander joined A.J. Burnett in no-hitting San Diego this season, making the Padres the first team since the 1996 Colorado Rockies to be no-hit twice in one season. Burnett walked a record nine batters in his no-hitter May 12.

Smith, who was joking in the dugout with slugger Mark McGwire in the top of the ninth, started the bottom half by getting Henderson to ground out.

After Smith walked D'Angelo Jimenez, shortstop Edgar Renteria made a nice backhand pickup on Ryan Klesko's grounder for the second out. Smith completed the job on a 2-1 pitch to Nevin. Smith, who threw two seven-inning no-hitters in the minors last season, did it in the majors one night after the New York Yankees' Mike Mussina fell one strike shy of pitching a perfect game against Boston.

It was St. Louis' ninth no-hitter. The Padres still don't have a no-hitter since they started play in 1969.

"This is special. I feel great right now," Smith said.